Russia and Germany qualify for FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championship

Russia on the attack in the European Championship final against Germany

Lausanne, Switzerland, September 16, 2013 – The Russian women’s team had a good weekend of volleyball as they triumphed in the CEV European Championship, earning a berth in November’s FIVB Grand Champions Cup in Japan and a spot in next year’s FIVB World Championship, where they are two-time defending champions.

Russia defeated Germany 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 25-23, 25-14) in the European final on Saturday, a result that also hands Germany a spot in the Women’s World Championship, which will take place in Italy from September 23 to October 12, 2014.

Thailand, Japan and hosts Italy are the other teams to have secured their places in the Women’s World Championship.

South America will be the next confederation to confirm teams at the quadrennial tournament via its continental championship, which runs from September 16 to 22. The winner there will qualify for Italy, while the remaining place will be determined at a qualification tournament in October.

Europe and South America are the only confederations to offer tickets to the FIVB Volleyball World Championships via their continental championships.

In addition to Russia, Germany and hosts Italy, seven more European teams will earn spots in the World Championship via qualifiers that end in early January 2014.

The Asian Women’s Final Qualification Tournament will pick back up on Sept. 27, when Pool B composed of China (hosts), Korea, Kazakhstan, New Zealand and India – will fight for a place in the World Championship.

Africa will begin its second round of qualifications in October, although the teams that will advance to the 2014 FIVB World Championships won’t be known until after the confederation’s final round in January 2014.

The North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) will be the last confederation to qualify all their teams for the 2014 Women’s FIVB World Championships. Five teams will qualify from the final round of the qualification tournaments (May 21 to June 30, 2014), while the last spot will come from a NORCECA Continental Playoff (July 2 to 7).

The first FIVB World Championships were organised in 1949 for men and 1952 for women.